Exclusive: Inside Doug Ford’s Strategic Maneuvering and the Suspicious Collusion in Ontario’s Political Landscape

In the ever-shifting world of Ontario politics, where alliances are fragile and strategies are often shrouded in secrecy, a series of revelations have come to light that could reshape the upcoming provincial election. What began as a whisper among insiders has now grown into a full-blown exposé, raising questions about the integrity of Ontario’s political leaders and their tactics. At the center of it all is Premier Doug Ford, whose alleged behind-the-scenes maneuvering and questionable alliances with Liberal leader Bonnie Crombie have sparked accusations of collusion and voter suppression.

The Parry Sound-Muskoka Gambit: A Calculated Move to Split the Vote

In the 2022 provincial election, the Parry Sound-Muskoka riding witnessed a nail-biting race between Progressive Conservative incumbent Graydon Smith and Green Party candidate Matt Richter, with Richter finishing just 2,114 votes behind. Fast forward to 2025, and the dynamics of this riding have taken a curious turn.

Sources within the PC Party have revealed that Doug Ford’s campaign strategists have instructed canvassers to name-drop Liberal candidate David Innes while going door-to-door. The goal? To chip away at the Green Party’s support by sowing confusion among voters. This tactic is particularly eyebrow-raising given that the Ontario Liberals chose not to run a candidate in Parry Sound-Muskoka in 2022, effectively abstaining from the race.

Now, under Bonnie Crombie’s leadership, the Liberals have parachuted Innes—a New Brunswick native and former Liberal candidate in that province—into the riding. Critics argue that this move reeks of opportunism, with Crombie’s team seemingly prioritizing strategic interference over genuine representation. The question on everyone’s mind: Is this a coordinated effort to undermine the Greens and secure a PC victory?

A Pattern of Suspicious Behavior: Candidates Dropping Out and Defying Party Directives

The intrigue doesn’t stop in Parry Sound-Muskoka. Across the province, there are growing signs of disarray and rebellion within the ranks of the major parties. In Windsor, a Liberal candidate abruptly dropped out of the race, while in Eglinton, an NDP candidate stepped aside, reportedly to prevent a Ford victory. These sudden departures have left both the NDP and the public “blindsided,” raising concerns about backroom deals and party infighting.

Bonnie Crombie’s refusal to address these incidents has only fueled speculation. Her silence on the Windsor candidate’s withdrawal, coupled with her decision to stand by Thunder Bay–Superior North candidate Brian Hamilton despite damning revelations, has drawn sharp criticism. Hamilton, who is embroiled in a hotly contested three-way race, has been targeted by PC attack ads highlighting his past defense of disgraced figures like Bill Cosby and Jian Ghomeshi.

The PCs have seized on Hamilton’s controversial tweets, using them as ammunition in a relentless smear campaign. Yet, Crombie’s refusal to remove Hamilton from the race has led to accusations that she is deliberately sabotaging her own party’s chances in key ridings. Is this incompetence, or is there a more sinister agenda at play?

The Leaks That Expose Ford’s Hidden Agenda

Behind the scenes, a whistleblower within the PC Party has provided a trove of information that sheds light on Doug Ford’s calculated strategies. According to this source, Ford has been planning an early spring election for over eight months, a move allegedly designed to preempt a potential federal election that could see Liberal staffers flooding the job market.

The source also revealed that Ford has imposed a media blackout on his candidates, forbidding them from attending debates and rerouting their direct phone lines to Premier’s Office staffers. This level of control is unprecedented and suggests a concerted effort to stifle transparency and accountability.

Perhaps most damning is the revelation that Ford’s team has been preparing for voter suppression tactics, including scheduling the election during the harsh mid-winter months to discourage voter turnout. This aligns with the broader strategy of keeping opponents off-balance and unprepared, as evidenced by Brian Lilley’s recent column in the Toronto Sun. Lilley, a staunch Ford ally, downplayed the possibility of an early election while simultaneously confirming the timeline leaked by the whistleblower. The contradictions in his reporting have only deepened suspicions of a coordinated media spin.

The Bigger Picture: Collusion or Coincidence?

The mounting evidence points to a troubling pattern of behavior among Ontario’s political leaders. Doug Ford’s alleged manipulation of the electoral process, combined with Bonnie Crombie’s seemingly complicit actions, suggests a level of collusion that undermines the democratic process. From parachuting candidates into key ridings to refusing to address internal rebellions, the actions of both leaders raise serious questions about their commitment to fair play and transparency.

As voters, we must ask ourselves: Are we witnessing a genuine contest of ideas, or are we being played by a system that prioritizes power over principle? The stakes have never been higher, and the need for accountability has never been more urgent.

The whistleblower’s revelations have opened a Pandora’s box of political intrigue, and it’s up to us to demand answers. In the words of the old adage, “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.” But if we allow ourselves to be fooled a third time, we risk becoming complicit in the erosion of our democracy.

Stay tuned as this story develops. The truth is out there, and it’s only a matter of time before it comes to light.